HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
Linking San Francisco to Marin County in California, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over a narrow strait which connects the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. Prior to the bridge, people traveled by ferry boat across the strait.
Although most people thought a bridge was necessary to expedite travel, some residents of the
bay area felt the risk of building the bridge was too great. Joseph Strauss believed that nothing was impossible, and dreams would never come to fruition if risks weren't taken. So, he decided to gather the best and brightest builders, architects, and workers to embark on the challenge of
building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. With safety nets in place, the construction began in 1937. Building the anchorages first, the
builders then move on to the towers on each end, and then to the three-foot thick cables to support the suspension bridge. Lastly, workers labored to complete the roadway which became
the most dangerous and treacherous part of the entire task. The builders had to keep the bridge
balance, so it wouldn't fall into the bay.
Today, over sixty-five years later, the bridge remains a life-line for the people of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Question 1 of 5
Why was the roadway so dangerous to build?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The roadway was so dangerous to build because if it wasn't balanced correctly, it would collapse. The text mentions that the builders had to keep the bridge balanced to prevent it from falling into the bay. This highlights the critical importance of ensuring the structural integrity and balance of the roadway to maintain the stability of the entire bridge. Therefore, any imbalance in the construction of the roadway could lead to a catastrophic failure of the bridge, making option D the correct answer.
Extract:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Question 2 of 5
What is the main idea of this passage?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The main idea of the passage is to explain the different components of the water cycle, which include precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. The passage describes how water moves through these stages, highlighting the importance of each step in maintaining life on Earth. Options A and B are incorrect as they do not capture the central theme of the water cycle, and option D is misleading as rain, a form of precipitation, plays a crucial role in the cycle.
Extract:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Question 3 of 5
What can the reader conclude from this passage about ponds and lakes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ponds and lakes are mentioned in the passage as part of the water cycle. The text states that runoff water collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans. Since ponds and lakes are water bodies that collect and store runoff, they can be considered as examples of groundwater reservoirs. Therefore, the correct answer is A: 'They are examples of groundwater reservoirs.' Ponds and lakes play a significant role in the collection and storage of water within the water cycle, contrary to options B and C, which incorrectly suggest they are not important or do not play a role. Option D is incorrect as it oversimplifies the water sources for ponds and lakes by stating they consist solely of water collected through precipitation.
Extract:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Question 4 of 5
What does the word 'composed' mean in the first paragraph?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: To consist of.' In this context, 'composed' means made up of or formed by. The sentence refers to a single drop of water being made of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with two hydrogen atoms. Therefore, 'composed' in this context signifies the idea of something being comprised or made up of other elements.
Extract:
Let's Go to the Circus
Everyone loves a circus! The bright lights, fanciful costumes, and fierce wild animals delight and entertain folks of all ages. The circus calls to the child in each one of us. Ernest Hemingway wrote that it "is the only ageless delight that you can buy for money..."
"Circus" is a magic word inspiring all sorts of exciting, colorful images. It's a theater of mind-boggling feats, elephants thundering around the rings, horses dancing, clowns cavorting and the sequins glittering under the lights.
There are historical references to animal displays and athletic competitions from the earliest days of civilization. The Romans were famous for their extravaganzas in the Coliseum. The shows we see today cannot compare to those great spectacles, but all who go to a circus enjoy the experience. It allows us all to be a child again and watch in awe as the athletes perform on the high wire or control the savage beasts in the center ring.
Question 5 of 5
What does 'cavorting' mean in the second paragraph?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of the passage, 'cavorting' generally means to jump or leap around in a lively or playful way. It describes clowns moving about energetically in a fun and playful manner, aligning with the idea of running and jumping. The word 'cavorting' adds to the colorful and exciting imagery of the circus performance described in the text.